Rotary engine.



L. M'IRANDOLPH.

ROTARY ENGlNE. APPLICATFON FILED JUNE 12,}916.

Patented June 4, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENT R.

ATTORNEYS.

L. M. RANDOLPH. V ROTARY ENGINE. 1,268,771. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, I916. Patented June 4 3 SHEETS-SHE 2.

L. M. RANDOLPH.

ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED IUNE l2 l9l6.

Patented June 4; 1918.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

LEONARD m. nannonrn, or'nawemr, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB, TO HIGH srnnn Emmet: CORPORATION, OENEWARK, NEW JEasEY, 'A CORPORATION OF DELAwAma' ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4:, 1918.

Application filed June 12, 1916. Serial No. 103,223.

"To all-whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEONARD M. RAN- DOLPH, a citizen of the United States, a resident of the city of Newark, county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have-invented a new and useful Improved Rotary Engine, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates more particularly to a rotary engine of that type which is equally adapted to be driven by steam or any other elastic fluid, or by reversing, the flunctions of the steam inlet and exhaust outlet, to be used in a reverse way as a pump or an air compressor; and while the word steam is hereafter used as a designation of the motive force employed to drive the engine, when used as-a motor, this term is to be construed, throughout the patent, to include any other elastic fluid as a substitute therefor, as may be practicable or convenient. I

Among other objects of my invention are: to provide rotar engines of the type mentioned, with soli power shafts, driven by a rotary piston mounted thereon, thus eliminating drums and transmission gear, and with variable cut off and reversing valves not contacting with moving parts; to eliminate it frictional or-rubbing surfaces, between the rotary and adjacent surfaces, while providing means for securing substantially steam tight, joints between the rolling cylinder heads, or abutments and the peripheral faces of the piston leaves and of the intervening sections of the piston: also to provide a uniform, maximum steam supply to the compartments of'the piston chamber, with a minimum frictional loss through a steam chamber or reservoir, common to all of the supply ports, into which the steam is directly admitted, through an opening in the casing and to shorten the conduits therefrom to the piston chamber, by locating them in the recessed faces of the cylinder heads, or valvular abutments; also to eliminate back pressure in the exhaust by means of an exports, which, with the exhaust conduits, are located in the rear sections of the cyllnder heads, or abutments, and from thence to exsections cut through the lines a -a on impulses for each revolution of the piston; also to render the operation of the machine automatlc, by providing means for opera- .tively posltioning the pistons, or one of them, to take steam at'any point inthe cycle, in at least one compartment, through the piston leaves being unequal in number to the com partments; also to adapt the engine for multifarious uses and functions by providing threaded openings in the casing adapted for pipe. connections with sources of steam, water or air supply, under valvular control, whereby the functions ofthe openings in the casing, for the steam inlet and the exhaust outlet may be reversed and the engine operated as a sired.

Such of the improvements, hereinafter specified, as are not'claimed in this application are the subjects of separate applications for United States Letters Patent.

Having thus generally described some of the objects of my invention, I will now more particularly describe the latter by reference to the annexed drawings-which illustrate a machine embodying my invention and in which similar reference characters indicate identical parts. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, out through the center of the machine, but showing the power shaft in perspective.

Fig. 2 is a cross section cut through the machine at 2-2 on Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3, is a detail showin the valve mechanism and the gear control ing it.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6, are detail views of the rolling cylinder heads, illustrating and showing the leaves of the rotary piston positioned at different points in the cycle. Thiy arze Fig. .7, is a perspective view of a rolling cylinder head, with the steam and exhaust pump, or an air compressor, as deports and conduits indicated.

'haust chamber, common to all of the exhaust Fig. 8, is a cross section of the same, cut through the line a-a of Fig. 7.

Fig.- 9, is a detail showing the mechanism for positioning'the variable cut off and reversing valve. A

The power shaft 1, is solid throughout and is mounted on ball bearings 2, 2, which are secured in the heads of the casing 3, as shown. The longitudinal adjustment of the power shaft 1, to secure a close running fit,

ED STATES PATENT onmoa. Y

,it, is the rotary piston 4, shown in detail '10 Figs. 4, 5, and 6, which is provided with two leaves 5 5. These revolve freely withm the piston chamber 8, and the recessed sections 12, in the faces of the three rolling cylinder heads 6, without actually contacting therewith.

The rolling cylinder heads 6, are mounted on ball bearings 7 7, to rotate laterally and are adjustable longitudinally to permit of a v close running fit and a steam tight joint,

without contact with adjacent surfaces, the cylinder head'and recesses within which they are housed, being conical, such adjustment 1s secured by means of the balls 7, and the set screws 7 and operatively divide the PIS- ton chamber 8, which is an annular steam chest, into three compartments, by supplying a-but nents at timed intervals, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, to each of which com- .partments steam is successively supplied,

to drive the piston leaves and from which the steam is exhausted after doing work.

The recessed sections 12, in the faces of the rolling cylinder heads 6, are crescent shaped, and are timed, as hereafter explained, to provide open ways for the passage of the piston leaves 5, 5, from one compartment to another, in their progressive advance, and by their timed rotary movements to immediately on the passage of a leaf therethrough close the way by presenting a solid section, to close the compartment and furnish an abutment behind such progressing piston leaf. This is accomplishedby means of a gear 9, keyed in the power shaft 1,. at 10, as shown in Fig. 1, which intermeshes with the gear 11, carried on the rolling cylinder heads 6, as shown in Fig. 1. The respective gears are arranged to so register with each other, that the related motions of the respective cylinder heads shall be timed with the progressive advance of the respective.

piston leaves 5, 5, to successively present the recessed sections 12, of the cylinder heads 6, to the respective advancing piston leaves, so positioned as to permit the passage thereof, as heretofore stated, and to close the aper ture on the disengagement of a piston leaf from such recessed section, and also to open the exhaust port 13, of such cylinder head 6, as shown in Figs. 4, and 5, to exhaust the compartment from which the piston leaf has just been disengaged. Fig. 5, shows two exhaust ports open, while in Fig. 4, the exhaust port in the upper cylinder head is shown as about to engage in the recess in the casing to exhaust the compartment from w'hieh'the piston leaf, inits clockwisegad- Vance, has just been disenga ed.

The steam inlet 14, in t e casing 3,.1s

' shown as threaded for a pipe connection, as

is the exhaust outlet 28, and by means of such pipe connections the functions of the inlet and outlet may be reversed, and the engine operated as a pump, or air compressor, being driven from a foreign source of power.

The steam inlet 14,-opens in an annular I steam chamber 15. In this chamber is located. the variable cut as and reversing valve system, which comprises the valve rings 1.7, 18, and 19, movably mounted on the sleeves 3 of the casing 3, shown in de-' tail Figs. 2 and 3, and their motions conrings 17, 18, and 19, may thusbe adjustably engaged with the ports 24, and 24, in the casing sleeves 3 to vary the steam cut oil", or may be thrown over from engagement with the ports 24, to engage with the ports 24, to reverse the direction of the rotation of the piston leaves 5, 5, or .vice versa,'as maybe desired.

In Fig. 1, the shaft 23, is shown without any connections, and, as is-obvious a connection can be made with a governor, and the steam supply thus automatically regulated. The valves 16 in the respective valve rings, are shown in a neutral position in trolled through the segmental gear 20, with Fig. 2, while in Fig. 3, the valve 16, is shown I valves 16, of the respective valve rings,

through either the inlet, or port, 24, or 24 and are timed in registering therewith, to admit steam into the compartments behind the leaves 5, 5, of the revolving piston 4, as the abutments behind them are successively closed, by the volute" motion of the respec.--

tive cylinder heads as already explained.

The duration of the periodic intervals of steam supply, through the respective ports .25, is governed by the degree of accuracy with which the valves 16, of the valve rings register with the inlets or ports 24, or 24, as the case may be, and this is adjustably determined by positioning the handle23, to

' rate impulses, three for each piston leaf, during each revolution, and its action is automatic, oneof theports 25, being always, either operatively engaged, or past the point of engagement.

Figs. 7, and 8, show the exhaust ports in the rear of the cylinder heads 6, and leading to the exhaust conduits 26, which open at the other end into the exhaust chamber 27, these conduits are indicated on Fig. 7, and one of them is shown in Fig. 1. From the cham:

ber 27, the steam is exhausted through the outlet 28, in the casing 3.

The system of steam circulation through the engine is as follows:

The steam is admitted to the steam chamber 15, through the inlet 14, in the casing 3,

I and thence passes intermittently, at periodic intervals, through the respective valves 16, reglstering With one, or the other, of the ports, or inlets, 24, or 24*, in the casing sleeve 3, to the ports 25, in the cylinderheads 6, and thence throughthe conduits in the latter connecting the same with the recessed sections 12, inthe faces thereof, to the respective compartments of the piston chamber 8; thence it is exhausted through the exhaust ports 13, and the connecting conduits 26, in the rear of the rolling cylinder heads 6, into the exhaust chamber 27, and through it and the exhaust outlet 28, in the casing 3, to the atmosphere, or a condenser.

One of the piston leaves is always operatively positioned to take steam, thus rendering the operation of the engine, whether for the generation of power, or as a pump, or

air compressor, entirely automatic. The valves are thrown from their neutral position, shown in Fig. 2, to an operative position, as shownin Fig. 3, or the reverse thereof, the. pointof cut ofi' being regulated as desired, and the engine will continue to operate until steam is out off. If used as a pump, or air compressor, the operation is controlled by the valve system in the same manner.

Having thus specified, described and shown the same, I claim as novel and my invention: I

1. In a'rotary en ine in combination, a valve carrying mem r having an annular conical piston chamber with conical recesses therein, a number of conical, valvular abutments, adjustably mounted in such recesses,

dividing such chamber into a number of compartments a solid, cylindrical, adjustably mountedpiston carrying member, a conical piston provided with leaves, in number unequal to the valvular abutments, permanently secured to such last named member to rotate within such chamber, means for the longitudinal adjustment and positioning of such valvular abutments and such piston to-s'ecure steam tight joints, without contact of any of such parts with adjacent surfaces, and means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to the piston chamber, so timed as to continuously drive such piston.

.' provided with leaves, in numberunequal to the valvular abutments, permanently secured to such last named member, to rotate Within such chamber, means for the longitudinal adjustment and positioning of such valvular abutments and such piston to secure steam tight'joints, without contact of any of such parts with adj acent surfaces and means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to the piston chamber, so timed as to continuously drive such piston.

3. In a rotary engine, in combination, a.

valve carrying member having a conical, annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of conical valvular abutments, adjustably mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compart ments, a solid, cylindrical, adjustably mounted'piston carrying member, a conical piston provided With leaves, in number unequal to the vailvular abutments, permanently se cured to such last named member, to rotate within such chamber, means for the longitudinal adjustment and positioning of such valvular abutments and such piston to secure steam tight joints, Without contact of any of such parts with adjacent surfaces and means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to the piston chamber,

ments, adjustably mounted in such recesses.

dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical, adjust.

ably mounted piston carrying member, a conical piston provided with leaves, innumber unequal to the valvular abutments, permanently secured to such last named member, to rotate within such chamber, means for the longitudinal adjustment and positioning of such valvular abutments and such piston to secure steam tight joints, without contact of any of such parts with adjacent surfaces and a gear connecting such shaft and such abutments, so timed that steam is admitted to the chamber through such abutments to continuously drive such piston.

5. In a rotary en 'ne, in combination, a valve carrying mem er having an annular, conical piston chamber with conical recesses, therein, a number of conical, valvular abut- .ments mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartvalve carrying member having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular abutments mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical piston carrymg member, a piston pro vided with leaves, in number unequal to the abutments,rpermanently secured to said last named member, to rotate within such chamber, such chamber, recesses, abutments and piston havin suitable contours for adjustably positiomng such abutments and piston to form steam tight joints, without contact with adjacent surfaces, means for their longitudinal adjustment for such purpose and means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to such chamber, vso

timed as to continuously drive such piston.

7. In a rotary en 'ne, in combination, a

valve carrying mem er having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a'numer of valvular abutments mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical, piston carrying member, a piston provided with leaves, in number unequal to the abutments, permanently secured to said last named member, to rotate within such chamber; such chamber, recesses, abutments and piston having suitable contours for adjustably positioning such abutments and piston to form steam tight joints without contact with ajdjacent surfaces, means for their longitudinal adjustment for such purpose,

contact with adjacent surfaces, means their longitudinal adjustment for such purmeans for admitting steam throu h such valvular abutments to such chain er, so timed as to continuously 'drive such piston and valve rings adjustably controlling steam ports in the valvular abutments to vary the steam cut ofl,

8. In a rotary en 'ne, in combination, a valve carrying mem er, having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular abutments mounted. in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a ,number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical, piston carrying member, a piston provided with leaves, in number unequal to the abutments, permanently secured to said last named member, to rotate within such chamber; such chamber recesses, abutments and piston having-suitable contours for adjustably positioning such abutments and piston to form steam tight joints, with f ut or pose, means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to such chamber,

so timed as to continuously drive such iston, and valve rings adjustably controlling steam ports in the valvular abutments to reverse the engine.

9. In a rotary en e, in combination, a valve carrying mem er having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular abutments mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical, piston carrying member, a piston rovided with leaves, in number unequal to t e abute ments, permanently secured to said last named member, to rotate within such chamber; such chamber, recesses, abutments and piston having suitable contours for adjustably positioning such abutments and piston to form steam tight joints, without contact with adjacent surfaces, means for their longitudinal adjustment for such purpose,

means for admitting steam through such valvular abutments to such chamber, so

timed as to continuously drive such piston and means for variably cutting of the steam supply.

10. In a rotary engine, in combination, a valve carrying member having an, annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular abutments mounted in such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical, piston carrying member, a piston provided with leaves, in number unequal to the abutsteam through such valvular abutments to such chamber, so timed as to continuously valve carrying-member, having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular abutments mounted m such recesses, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a solid, cylindrical piston carrying member, a piston provided with leaves, in number unequal to the abutments, permanently secured to the last named member, to rotate within the piston chamber; the latter, the recesses, abutments and iston having suitable contours for adjusta 1y positioning such abutments and piston to form steam tight joints, without contact with adjacent surfaces, means for their longitudinal adjustment for such purpose, meansfor admitting steam through such valvular abutments to such chamber, so

timed as to continuously drive such piston and means for adjustably controlling steam ports in such abutments to reverse the en- 12. In a rotary engine, in combination a valve carrying member having an ann ar piston chamber with recesses therein with conical contours, a number of conical valvular abutments mounted in such recesses for longitudinal adjustment, each being proequal to the abutments, permanently secured thereto, to rotate in such chamber, means for the longitudinal adjustment of such piston and means for so timing the-admission of steam to the chamber as to continuously drive such piston, the rotary parts being adapted on such adjustment to form steam tight joints without contact with adjacent parts.

13. In ,a rotary engine, in combination, a

valve carrying member having an annular piston chamber with recesses therein, a number of valvular'abutments mounted in such recesses for longitudinal adjustment, dividing such chamber into a number of compartments, a piston carrying member, comprising a solid shaft, a piston permanently secured thereto, to rotate in such chamber, having leaves, in number unequal to the abutments,

such piston being adjustably positioned by means of threaded sections on said shaft,

near the bearings and check nuts fitted to such sections. and bearing on the valve carrying member, the piston and abutments be- ,ing adapted to adjustably form steam tight joints, without contact with adjacent surfaces, and means for admitting steam through said abutments to said chamber, so timed as to continuously drive said piston.

14. In a rotary engine, wherein the rotary parts are adapted to form steam tight joints without contact with adjacent surfaces, a steam circulation system wherein the steam is admitted'through inlet valves in a number of abutments, opening, through concave ways, or recesses in the faces thereof to the compartments, formed by such abutments, in an annular piston chamber, having recesses in which such abutments are mounted, such steam valves being so timed, by ears connecting such abutments with a plston shaft, as to continuously drive a piston permanently mounted on the latter to rotate within such chamber, such piston being provided with leaves, unequal in number to the abutments and adapted to receive such timed steam impulses, and wherein such steam is exhausted through exhaust outlets extending from such chamber longitudinally through'the rear sections of such abutments and the respective flmctions of such inlets and outlets being individual to each.

LEONARD M. RANDOLPH,

Witnesses:

.SADIE SHARKEY, WnsoN W. Hoovnn. 

